Wales wing George North has revealed that the chance to play at the Rugby World Cup is the "biggest honour".
The 23-year-old, who helped the British and Irish Lions to beat Australia two years ago, has been a key member of Warren Gatland's side, which claimed the 2012 and 2013 Six Nations titles.
However, North is convinced that the World Cup represents the pinnacle of international rugby.
He told reporters: "For me, the World Cup is the biggest honour. Whenever I put a Wales jersey on, I want to play my best, so there is no lack of effort, but any World Cup is the time you want to be shining, and obviously being so close to home this time it would be a good one to shine in.
"For me, 2011 was a massive learning curve. If I look back, it was just the fact that I was so young and so naive to the ways of international rugby at the time. I just had a few caps to my name, and it was just a massive learning curve as to what to do and getting my preparation right.
"I guess now it is a case of becoming more professional and knowing what is better for me on a week-to-week basis with a Test match on the Saturday. It has generally been about working out where I can be a pain."
North sat out Wales's bonus-point victory over Uruguay in Cardiff on Sunday, but will start against group rivals England on Saturday night.
Chris O'Keefe
